PBL school board to discuss possible purchase or lease of land

PAXTON — The Paxton-Buckley-Loda school board plans to meet in closed session tonight to discuss the possible purchase or lease of property for use by the district.

District Superintendent Cliff McClure declined to identify the property’s location or say what the district’s potential use for the land would be.

“There’s a piece of property that we have discussed over the years. That’s all it is,” McClure said. “It’s going to be up for discussion, and it may be nothing. But it’s something we need to have a conversation about.”

In other business at the meeting, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. today (Wednesday, Nov. 14) at the unit office:

— McClure will present the proposed tax levy for the 2012-13 fiscal year, which shows an estimated savings on the district’s tax rate of 16 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. The projected lower tax rate is entirely due to the district’s equalized assessed valuation increasing as a result of the construction of the wind farm east of Paxton, McClure said. But because the levy is projected to rise by more than 5 percent, a truth-in-taxation hearing will be required prior to approval of the final levy in December, McClure said. The hearing will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 12, after the proposed levy has been on public display for 30 days.

— McClure will recommend the board accept the only bid received, from Fox River Foods, for the district’s food program. Fox River is the district’s current food program provider.

— The board plans to take action on disposing of a 2002 Chevrolet Venture van that is inoperable and no longer of use to the district. The board also plans to approve the purchase of a used van as a replacement.

— The board plans to meet in closed session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation or performance of district employees.

— The board will hear reports from the board’s building and grounds committee and extracurricular committee.

— Tara Wienke, the district’s director of curriculum, assessment and instruction, will present a school improvement report, discussing professional development activities held during early-dismissal times on Tuesdays and some math and literacy professional development initiatives.

— Principals will report on the turnout for parent/teacher conferences last month.

— The board will hear a report on fall activities from principals at each school.

— The board plans to direct board Vice President Dave Dowling how to vote on various position statements up for approval at the Illinois Association of School Boards’ upcoming Triple I Conference in Chicago. Dowling is attending the conference as a delegate.

— The board plans to take action on the district’s Title 1 plan, which is required to be updated and resubmitted every three years for the district to qualify for a Title 1 grant each year.

— The board plans to approve an “ACH originator agreement” with Farmers-Merchants National Bank of Paxton.

— The board plans to approve school improvement plans for all four district schools, in response to each not meeting Adequate Yearly Progress goals on standardized tests last year.

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